To the Case Western Reserve University Community:

As many of you recognize, creating a more diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment is essential to our future. A critical element of our success involves recruiting, developing and retaining individuals who offer a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Having a community that fully reflects society furthers our missions of education, inquiry, and discovery.

To ensure we fully realize our goals, I have created a new, Cabinet-level position that reports directly to me: the Vice President of Inclusion, Equal Opportunity, and Diversity. I seek an individual passionately devoted to these issues who has the knowledge, integrity and skills necessary to advance them on our campus.

The new Vice President will evaluate the university's existing programs and work with constituents to develop and advocate for a more dynamic and coherent approach to addressing campus needs. This individual will serve primarily as a champion and advocate; existing reporting lines for such offices as multicultural affairs and the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women will remain the same.

Rhonda Williams, Associate Professor of History and Co-Chair of the President's Advisory Council on Minorities, has agreed to chair this search. I am grateful for her knowledge and commitment to these issues and her leadership in this process. I list the full search committee below; all are dedicated to this effort and I deeply appreciate their engagement.

First, however, I would like to encourage you to attend one of the two open forums the group will host next week. They are:

Tuesday, April 29th, 2:30-3:30pm in the Toepfer Room on the second floor of Adelbert Hall

Wednesday, April 30th, 12:00-1:00pm in Ford Auditorium

In addition, if you would like to correspond with the committee with comments or potential nominations, please email vpdiversitysearch@case.edu.